Too high to reach

Chapter 345 My Heart is as Hard as Iron
Mo Yuan's eyes lit up, and she just started to smile...

A woman in fine clothes stood directly in front of Zhang Debao, blocking his way.

Zhang Debao was looking at Mo Yuan, feeling conflicted, when his mother suddenly appeared in front of him...

I also heard her say softly, "His Highness Prince Qi is over there. Go and pay your respects."

Caught red-handed by his mother, Zhang Debao's heart skipped a beat. "Yes, Mother," he quickly replied, then quietly slipped away.

Madam Zhang turned around and looked at Mo Yuan with a cold gaze and obvious hatred.

At first, Mo Yuan was taken aback and felt a little uneasy. But seeing Madam Zhang's gaze... her competitive spirit was ignited, and she pursed her lips and gave Madam Zhang a charming smile.

In Madam Zhang's eyes, this was absolutely provocative. With her fiery temper, how could she possibly tolerate it?

What a little brat, daring to talk back to me!

She walked over in just a few steps.

"Your Majesty!" He smiled and bowed to Mo Yi.

Mo Yi didn't see Mo Yuan and Zhang Debao making eye contact. When Madam Zhang arrived, she asked, "Madam Zhang, how have you been?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm doing alright! Your Highness, I heard the Prince is going out?"

"Yes, I'll leave the day after tomorrow."

"Time is too tight. When I heard the news, I really hoped that Debao could go on this trip with the Prince and broaden his horizons!"

Then, as if she had suddenly noticed Mo Yuan, she exclaimed, "Oh! I just saw you. Greetings, Consort Mo. Has the Crown Princess arrived?"

Mo Yuan rolled her eyes countless times in her mind. "I'm a grown woman, and you just saw me?"

They even asked me about the Crown Princess... Do you think I care?

"It's me! Madam Zhang, you must have a bad memory. I've been smiling at you for ages, and you still didn't recognize me!"

Mo Yi felt a headache coming on as she listened to the two talking...

"How could I forget?" Madam Zhang said with a smirk. "Oh my! The purple jade hairpin on the concubine's head is such a beautiful color..."

"Right?! I think so too." Mo Yuan gently touched it with her slender hand, her eyes and face full of smiles.

"Yes. This color is really rare. But... coincidentally, I also have a bracelet of the same color. They look like a set!"

Isn't this a set? This hairpin was given to Mo Yuan by Zhang Debao.

Mo Yi guessed it, and her face turned a little red...

Mo Yuan, however, said happily, "Really?! What a coincidence! Madam Zhang, do you like this yellow jade bracelet? If you do, I'll exchange it with you for that purple bracelet later?"

When Madam Zhang took a look, she nearly fainted from anger. This bracelet looked familiar...

I was furious and made up my mind: when I get home today, I'll whip that good-for-nothing son of mine hard.

But how could this woman be so shameless?
Mrs. Zhang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and she began to prepare even harsher words...

Zhang Debao, on the other hand, was acting suspiciously, peeking and looking this way.

So, he saw his mother's aggressive demeanor and Mo Yuan's affected manner, which made him extremely anxious! He almost tore the soles of his shoes apart with his toes.

"Madam Zhang!" Mo Yi finally spoke up to save the day. If things continued like this, a real fight would break out. "His Highness did indeed set off in a bit of a hurry, and the situation over there is still unclear, not even knowing how long it will take. Young Master Zhang was pampered as a child and has only just started working. I'll talk to His Highness later, and next time there's someone more suitable for him, we'll definitely ask him to go."

"Thank you, Your Highness. The Zhang family will always remember the Prince's kindness." Suddenly, Madam Zhang felt extremely pessimistic.

"Your Majesty...you may know something about the Zhang family's situation. They only have one son, Debao. Since he was little, my husband and I have spoiled him, which has made him somewhat naive. Actually, we haven't cared too much about that. Whether he continues to be a playboy or becomes as successful as he is now, getting married and having children is his first priority."

But… this child, he's good in every way, except he's too stubborn. The other day, he was talking to such a wonderful girl, and they were halfway through, but then he changed his mind. Your Majesty…” Madam Zhang said to Mo Yi, but actually to Mo Yuan, “De Bao isn't handsome, nor very clever, but he has a kind heart and has never harmed anyone. Your Majesty… things have come to this, everyone has their own path to go on… you should…”

Although she hesitated, she still bowed her head to Mo Yuan and made a plea.

Given Mo Yuan's cunning, how could she not know that the words were directed at her?

But she just listened with a smile, seemingly nodding in agreement... but she had an indifferent, detached air about her.

In that instant, Mrs. Zhang really wanted to rush over and scratch her face!
“Madam…” Mo Yi was also helpless about this matter. She said softly, “It can be seen that Young Master Zhang still has some childishness. His thoughts and actions are not very mature. Perhaps this is why his parents have arranged everything for him.”

But he's good-natured and sincere. Or perhaps, in a fleeting moment, he'll suddenly mature! You don't need to keep a close eye on him every moment. Explain things clearly, and he'll figure out what to do on his own!

"I'm sorry... Your Majesty, I shouldn't have said these things in front of you."

When it came to her son, this strong woman also softened... "I understand the hearts of parents everywhere," Mo Yi said.

Just then, a relative of the Zhang family came over, bowed to Mo Yi, and then turned to Madam Zhang and said, "I heard from Bao that you were here!"

Madam Zhang shook her head and smiled bitterly. Was she afraid that I would fall out with Mo Yuan?
Feeling helpless, the two excused themselves and went off to talk.

Mo Yi turned to Mo Yuan and asked, "Mo Yuan, what are your thoughts on what Madam Zhang said just now?"

Turning her right hand over the yellow jade bracelet on her left wrist, Mo Yuan only wanted to say coldly, "No!"

But then it suddenly occurred to me: to say that would be tantamount to courting death.

So she sighed softly, "Yi Yi... when it comes to people's feelings and actions, it all depends on their perspective. If I were Mrs. Zhang, I would definitely yell at that Mo Yuan and scratch her face until she was covered in bruises! Then I would make her return everything she took from the Zhang family..."

If I have a son in the future, I will definitely teach him from a young age not to be controlled by any woman.

But I am Mo Yuan! I have to think about myself. Before, I was thinking about wealth and glory; now I'm thinking about saving my life…

Then, she glanced at Mo Yi again and said, "Yi Yi, don't be angry. Once my crisis is over, I won't bother him anymore."

Mo Yi shook her head with a cold laugh. What else could she say?
"Yiyi, the Prince is going to be gone for so long, shouldn't we have made arrangements for you?" Mo Yuan started a casual conversation. "Oh dear, it would be great if you were pregnant when he leaves. He won't be home, so you can focus on your pregnancy. Nothing will be delayed! Hmm, what's wrong with Mo Wen? I haven't visited her recently. Did she go back for your aunt's birthday last time?"

Mo Yi completely ignored her.

"Your Majesty." Madam Xu approached, her smile carrying a deeper meaning.

“Madam Xu.” Mo Yi nodded with a smile. “Fourth Sister, I have something to say to Madam Xu.”

“Oh…” Mo Yuan looked at Mo Yi, then at Madam Xu, smiled, and left.

"Thank you, Your Highness and Your Majesty, for your kindness to the Xu family."

Mo Yi was somewhat surprised. Had Xu Ke told his family?

"I don't know what you mean, madam..."

"Xu Ke." Madam Xu considered herself a rational person, but saying this name still caused her some pain.

Mo Yi smiled and said, "Madam, don't be so quick to thank me. I heard from the Prince that he will have a tough and dangerous journey ahead of him. Xu Ke, a scholar who has lived a life of luxury, doesn't know how much suffering he will have to endure."

Madam Xu shook her head: "Your Highness, whatever hardships and consequences Xu Ke faces, it is what he should bear. The fact that the Prince is giving him a chance is a great act of kindness."

"The prince is grateful for the Xu family's contributions to the court and the people. The other one... is Xu Ke, who has a genuine desire to repent. If he can persevere and even achieve merit, that would also be a great act of kindness."

"Indeed. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness... Please convey the Xu family's gratitude to the Prince. Master Xu said: If there is anything we can do to help, please give us your orders, Your Highness and Your Highness."

"Alright, I will convey that to His Highness."

"Xu Ke's wife's pregnancy isn't going well, and the family's idea is that she shouldn't go out until she gives birth."

“Alright. I’ve been busy with things at home lately, and Your Highness has to go out again. Let’s go see her once she’s settled down.”